Pupils in the South East are celebrating some of the best GCSE results in the country. Passes are up but top grades are down with seven out of ten students achieving A-star to C grades. Tom Savvides talks to students at St John Fisher School in Chatham and headteacher Catherine Burnett.

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A Rochester man spent the final moments of his birthday in hospital after having 6 teeth knocked out and his head stamped on 3 times in an unprovoked attack.

The 25-year-old victim had been out with friends celebrating his birthday on 30 September last year in a Chatham pub when he met Deividas Radvila and accepted a drink from him.

Later that evening the victim left the pub with his friend and Radvila and the trio walked to a nearby petrol station to buy some cans of lager. All three men continued drinking as they walked into town, before the victim’s friend left to go home.

Radvila said he would walk back with the victim as he lived in Rochester.

As they began walking together, just as they approached an alleyway, Radvila turned and punched the victim to the ground before stamping on his head twice.

The 20-year-old then began rifling through the victim’s pockets and stole £200 in cash, a mobile phone and bank cards in a wallet.

Not satisfied with his initial bruising attack, Radvila stamped on the victim’s face once again, knocking him unconscious and knocking out six teeth in the process.

Almost a month later, on 25 October, officers from Kent Police were called to a report of a fight in Railway Street, Chatham. Radvila was arrested and charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 17 November 2014 to 30 days in prison.

As a result of CCTV footage, Radvila was identified as the suspect for the incident on 30 September. He was subsequently charged with robbery.

Radvila, of Scotts Terrace in Chatham, pleaded not guilty to robbery, but admitted assaulting his victim. He was found guilty of robbery by a jury. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 25 June.

The family of a man who died in Chatham have described him as ‘one in a million’ and have thanked the community for its support since his murder.

An initial disturbance began in Glencoe Road at about 10.45pm on Tuesday 16 June, involving a number of men. It is believed to have continued in Magpie Hall Road.

Family pays tribute to Michael Tierney Credit: Kent Police

Michael Tierney, was found in Haig Avenue with serious injuries and he later died in a London hospital. His family have now issued a tribute to the 33-year-old.

Our beloved Mikey was one in a million a wonderful son, fiancé, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and incredible dad to Jojo who he adored and a great stepdad. A light has gone out in our lives and our hearts are shattered. We would like to thank our family and all the community who have shown so much love and support for our Mikey. Also, big thank you to Kent Police who is working effortlessly to bring justice to our beloved Mikey

– Family tribute

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have now charged three people in connection with his death.

Police investigating the murder of a man in Chatham have arrested a further four people.

33-year-old Michael Tierney was found badly injured in Haig Avenue earlier this week. He died in hospital yesterday.

It's believed there was a disturbance between four men in Glencoe Road before he was injured.

Police have now arrested a total of six people after four new arrests.

Two 39-year-old men from Chatham have been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 37-year-old woman and a 32-year-old woman, both from Chatham, are in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Two people arrested on Wednesday remain in police custody. They are a 26-year-old man from Chatham, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and a 27-year-old woman, also from the town, who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

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Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a man found injured in Chatham died in hospital. Local man Michael Tierney, 33, was found with serious injuries in Haig Avenue at around 10.55pm on Tuesday 16 June.

Officers believe an initial disturbance began in Glencoe Road at around 10.45pm, involving a number of men, and continued in Magpie Hall Road before Mr Tierney was found injured. He was declared dead in hospital today (18 June).

Detectives have arrested a 26-year-old man from Chatham on suspicion of attempted murder, while a 27-year-old woman, also from the town, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both people remain in police custody.

Fort Amherst in Chatham has hosted an ancient Wassailing ceremony which dates back to Saxon times.

It's performed to awaken fruit trees and bee hives and to drive away evil spirits to help ensure a summer harvest.

Keith Gulvin, a Trustee at Fort Amherst for over 30 years, said: "‘it’s reassuring to know that there is such an appetite for these authentic events, and that the time and energy it takes to ensure these ceremonies aren’t forgotten is not in vain."